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Science News Archive January 2015


Page 7 of 28

Good bedtime habits equal better sleep for kids

The study found that well-established rules for getting good sleep, such as limited caffeine and a regular bedtime, led to sufficient sleep quantity and adequate sleep quality. Reducing the encroachment of technology into sleep time is crucial to support well-known sleep hygiene principles.

How ionic: Scaffolding is in charge of calcium carbonate crystals

A team of researchers discovered that negatively charged molecules in biological scaffolds act like an 'ion sponge,' capturing calcium ions to guide crystallization. This new understanding may aid in developing advanced materials for energy and environmental applications.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Frogs prove ideal models for studying developmental timing

Researchers successfully mutated the thyroid hormone receptor in tadpoles, disrupting hind limb development and providing insight into the importance of hormones in early development. The study also has potential applications in understanding human developmental disorders such as cretinism.

'Kindness curriculum' boosts school success in preschoolers

A new kindergarten curriculum developed by the University of Wisconsin-Madison has been shown to improve preschoolers' academic performance and social skills. The curriculum focuses on promoting kindness, compassion, and self-regulation skills in young children.

Flexible work schedules improve health, sleep

A study found that giving employees more control over their work schedules can improve sleep quantity and quality, reducing the risk of chronic disease and early mortality. Participants experienced an average gain of nearly an hour of sleep per week compared to those without flexible scheduling.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Ribose-seq identifies and locates ribonucleotides in genomic DNA

Researchers have identified widespread incorporation of ribonucleotides in genomic DNA, with hotspots found in nuclear and mitochondrial DNA. The Ribose-seq technique allows for the precise location of ribonucleotides, which can affect genome stability and function.

Researchers identify brain circuit that regulates thirst

A team of scientists has identified a brain circuit in mice that regulates thirst, with two distinct cell types working together to maintain fluid balance. The study found that activating one set of cells triggers drinking behavior, while silencing the other population suppresses thirst.

CNIO scientists discover a new blood platelet formation mechanism

Researchers at CNIO have discovered a new way to produce platelets artificially, reprogramming megakaryocytes to increase in size. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new treatments for thrombocytopenia and cancer by targeting specific proteins involved in cell growth.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Brain study sheds light on how children with autism process social play

A recent brain study has confirmed significant differences in play behavior, brain activation patterns, and stress levels between children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typically developing children. The research suggests that some children with autism may experience social engagement as stressful or aversive.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Study of former NFL players reveals specifics of concussive brain damage

Research finds accumulated brain damage linked to memory deficits and mood regulation in former NFL players, supporting calls for improved athlete protection from concussion. PET scans show concentrated zones of high translocator protein levels, indicating brain injury and potential long-term neurological risk.

Chemists control structure to unlock magnetization and polarization simultaneously

Researchers at the University of Liverpool have successfully controlled a material's structure to generate both magnetisation and electrical polarisation, two contradictory properties. This breakthrough has significant implications for low-energy information technology applications, such as efficient information storage and logic devices.

Cells take sole responsibility for Merkel cell maintenance

Researchers have identified a specific population of stem cells in the skin that exclusively generate and maintain Merkel cells, crucial for touch sensation. Removing these cells led to a permanent reduction in Merkel cells, highlighting their unique role.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

With pollinator declines, millions at risk of malnutrition

A new study finds that pollinator declines could lead to severe nutritional deficiencies in some populations, particularly vitamin A deficiencies. The research examines the connection between crop-pollinating animals and human nutritional health, revealing alarming effects in certain countries.

Swarm of microprobes to head for Jupiter

A swarm of microprobes with different sensors could be sent to Jupiter, collecting data as they fall and transmitting it before burning up. This mission concept aims to study the planet's atmosphere and shed light on its composition, solar nebula formation, and impact history.

Students master math through movement using Kinect for Windows

A study by UVM's Carmen Petrick Smith found that elementary school students who performed body-based tasks while interacting with a Kinect program showed significant gains in understanding angles and angle measurements. The movement-based lessons were more effective than traditional static representations.

Scientists identify new mechanism to aid cells under stress

Scientists have discovered a novel mechanism that helps cells respond to oxidative stress, a major cause of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. The new mechanism involves a protein modification called ubiquitination, which stabilizes ribosome function and promotes protein synthesis.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Partly wrong with a chance of being right

A Tel Aviv University study prioritizes reasons for forecast failures across different regions, identifying man-made and natural factors such as land-use changes, topography, particles in the atmosphere, and population density. The researchers found unique factors affecting forecasts in various regions, including Europe, North Africa, ...

Reducing work-family conflicts in the workplace helps people to sleep better

A new report published in Sleep Health found that reducing work-family conflicts in the workplace can lead to better sleep outcomes. Workers who participated in an intervention aimed at reducing conflict slept an hour more each week and reported greater sleep sufficiency compared to those who did not participate.

Unlocking the kidney riddle in newborns

Researchers discovered that babies born with smaller kidneys are more likely to develop chronic kidney disease and high blood pressure as adults. The study found enhanced nerve activity and an inability to respond to nitric oxide promote kidney injury.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Collagen: Powerful workout with water

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute discovered that removing water from collagen fibers dramatically increases their tensile forces, generating up to 300 times more force than human muscles. This finding suggests a more active role for collagen in living organisms and opens new possibilities for developing novel materials.

Brain's on-off thirst switch identified

Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have identified the brain's on-off switch for thirst, revealing two types of neurons that drive and suppress the sensation. The study uses optogenetics to activate specific neuron populations in the subfornical organ, leading to increased drinking behavior in mice.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

New Canadian guideline to help prevent and manage adult obesity

A new Canadian guideline recommends measuring body mass index at primary health care visits to prevent and manage obesity. Structured behavioral interventions, including counseling, education, and environmental modifications, can help individuals lose weight, particularly those at high risk of diabetes.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Nocturnal leg cramps more common in summer

Researchers found that prescriptions for quinine and Google searches for leg cramps peak during the summer months. This seasonality could lead to a 'quinine holiday' during colder months for patients taking the medication.

New strategy to combat 'undruggable' cancer molecule

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have discovered that Ras protein misregulation is linked to cell shape. By targeting changes in membrane curvature, they hope to develop new ways to diagnose and treat cancers.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Ads effective even in the midst of multitasking, studies find

A study by University of Illinois researcher Brittany Duff found that people's processing styles and moods can impact their ability to recognize ads while multitasking. Analytic processors tend to focus on specific items, while holistic processors take in everything at once.

Learning from scorpions to control impulses

A study isolated the domain IV paddle of scorpion venom and found it remained sensitive to scorpion venom even when bound to a chip. This breakthrough could lead to faster identification of drugs that target this region, modifying sodium channel activity in beneficial ways.

Higher dementia risk linked to more use of common drugs

A large study links taking commonly used medications with anticholinergic effects to a significantly increased risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease. People taking certain medications at high doses or for longer periods are estimated to be at greater risk for developing dementia.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Daily drinking increases risk of alcoholic cirrhosis

Researchers investigated 56,000 participants and found daily drinking significantly increases the risk of alcoholic cirrhosis. Recent alcohol consumption, not lifetime consumption, is the strongest predictor of this condition.

Satellite witnesses developing US nor'easter

A strong nor'easter is developing in the Atlantic Ocean and will bring snowfall of 1-3 feet or more to parts of the Northeast. The storm system was captured in a NASA movie of NOAA's GOES-East satellite imagery, showing its progression from January 24 through 26.

Annals of Internal Medicine tip sheet for Jan. 27, 2015

The American College of Physicians marks its centennial year with a focus on the role of internal medicine in healthcare systems, professional satisfaction, and cost control. The journal also explores the challenges of sharing clinical trial data, highlighting the need for a consistent approach to balance benefits and risks.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Electronic circuits with reconfigurable pathways closer to reality

Researchers at EPFL have developed a way to control the formation of conductive pathways in ferroelectric materials, allowing for the creation of adaptable electronic circuits. This technology has the potential to miniaturize devices and enable resilient circuits that can function even with damaged components.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Many women with breast cancer have poor knowledge about their condition

A new analysis found that women with breast cancer have poor knowledge about their illness, with minority patients less likely to know accurate information. The study highlights the need for patient education and provider awareness to improve informed treatment decisions and overall cancer care.

Introgression in the pig genome leads to their altitude adaptation

Researchers identified a set of gene loci responsible for thermostatic regulation in Chinese pigs, highlighting the importance of introgression in adaptation. The study found that adaptations to cold and hot environments were triggered by interspecies introgression, providing insights into evolutionary history and adaptation mechanisms.

NOAA's DSCOVR going to a 'far out' orbit

DSCOVR will observe the sun, tracking Coronal Mass Ejections that can affect power grids and communications systems. The satellite will also study the Earth from its unique L1 orbit, providing multi-spectral images and radiation measurements.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.